Presentation of the Mercedes CLE: Two Coupes become one

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Car manufacturers’ order books are still full, and cash is flowing into the cash registers. But automotive paradise doesn’t last forever. Especially when it comes to vehicles with internal combustion engines. The brand strategists at Mercedes know this too.

That’s why they scan the model range with an extremely sharp red pencil. Everything that does not promise full profits is discarded. And so the Swabians made one of two models and replaced the C-Class and E-Class coupe with the Mercedes CLE, which will be available at dealers from the end of the year, first as a coupe and then as a convertible.

longer than E class

Therefore, far from SUVs and exciting navy, there are still dynamic cars with three-pointed stars. Anyone who expects something between the two segments – especially since the CLE is based on the common C and E-Class platform – can sit back and relax. At 4.85 metres, the CLE is 1.5 centimeters longer than the E-Class Coupé. Compared to the two-door C-Class it is 16.4 centimeters more.

The interior basically corresponds to that of the E-Class, with a stand-alone 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 11.9-inch vertical central display that tilts six degrees towards the driver in the Coupé but can only be rotated in the Convertible. . The latest generation MBUX multimedia system is also suitable for this.

Also rear axle steered

Especially when compared to its smaller predecessor, the CLE has more interior space. Rear passengers in particular benefit from ten millimeters more headroom, 19 millimeters more room for the shoulders and elbows and 72 millimeters for the knees. The 2.84-metre wheelbase also helps. An easy entry function, where the front seats provide access to the second row, is mandatory for a two-door car. With CLE, this function is triggered by a leather ring, not a bad hard plastic lever. It is made of nappa leather so that it does not wear out quickly and does not look ugly. The 420-litre trunk holds up to three golf bags.

The CLE isn’t too bulky despite these majestic dimensions, thanks to its track width, which is the same as the E-Class coupé. In addition, the body of the CLE flies on asphalt 15 millimeters lower than the sedans of the two series, C and E. To meet all customer requirements, the CLE is equipped as standard with a comfort chassis. Alternatively, Mercedes offers a stiffer sports suspension with selective damping. If you choose the technology package, you get adaptive dampers, more direct steering and rear axle steering, which turns the wheels by a maximum of 2.5 degrees and reduces the turning circle by 50 centimeters.

Price between C and E coupe

The engine range is limited to the basic specifications, where each unit receives the ISG mild hybrid module with 23 hp (17 kW) and 200 Nm of torque. The four-cylinder diesel in the CLE 220 d Coupé, which will only be offered with rear-wheel drive, produces 195 hp (147 kW) without e-boost. Four-pot petrol engines have either 204 hp (CLE 200) or 258 hp (CLE 300). Both will be offered as an all-wheel drive option.

The temporary top model, the CLE 450 4Matic, has a three-litre and 381 hp (280 kW) inline-six cylinder. Today, of course, we cannot completely abandon electromobility. Mercedes technicians are currently developing a plug-in hybrid module for the CLE. An AMG version with more power is probably more, too. Price should be between C and E class coupés. Compared to the current E-Class starting at CHF 74,200, the CLE should start at around CHF 70,000. The convertible is accordingly more expensive.

Source: Blick